Making Wishes Come True: A Conversation with Fostering Wishes
Fostering Wishes is far more than a nonprofit; it is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community rallies behind children who need it most.
We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Robin Lemmo, co-founder of Fostering Wishes, to learn more about their inspiring work supporting children and teens in foster care. Our conversation offered a meaningful look into the heart behind their mission, the programs that bring it to life, and the passion that continues to drive their commitment to making a difference.
The inspiration behind Fostering Wishes
Robin shared that Fostering Wishes was born from a deeply personal connection to foster care. Robin and his wife, Sabine, served as foster parents for many years and eventually adopted their first foster child when it became clear she could not safely return home.
Robin and his wife, Sabine, served as foster parents for many years and eventually adopted their first foster child when it became clear she could not safely return home.
This experience, paired with their desire to give back in retirement, led them to launch Fostering Wishes. Their goal was simple yet profound: ensure that foster children feel seen, valued, and supported during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
The mission of Fostering Wishes
At its core, Fostering Wishes is dedicated to enriching the lives of foster youth, especially those who too often fall through the cracks. Their mission is to bring joy, dignity, and meaningful support to children in care with a special focus on older youth and those preparing to transition into adulthood.
Programs That Make an Impact
Fostering Wishes offers several thoughtful programs designed to meet real needs and brighten the lives of children and teens in care:
- Holiday Drive & The Giving Tree: What began as a single Giving Tree in a local Starbucks has grown into 50–60 Giving Trees hosted by businesses across the community. Each tree is decorated with tags featuring a child’s wishlist items. Community members select a tag and purchase a gift, ensuring youth receive something personal and meaningful during the holidays.
- Duffle Bag Program: Many foster children move from placement to placement using black trash bags. This program provides durable duffle bags filled with essentials so youth can carry their belongings with dignity.
- Teen Empowerment Program: To help foster teens feel like “regular kids,” this initiative covers the cost of sports, extracurricular activities, and school participation fees to remove financial barriers and encourage confidence, belonging, and normalcy.
- Trade School Scholarships: Recognizing that many foster youth choose vocational pathways, this program funds trade school expenses such as tools, uniforms, certification fees, and tuition, helping young adults gain stability and independence.
Working Together to Support Children and Teens
Fostering Wishes collaborates with agencies like AFS to ensure that the right gifts and resources reach the right children. They also partner with other nonprofits to support teen wellness, provide specialized resources, and coordinate community-driven initiatives that strengthen support networks for foster youth.
Supporting Older Foster Youth
Robin emphasized that young people ages 16–22 face some of the biggest gaps in the foster care system. Too often, they are overlooked during a time when they need the most guidance, encouragement, and support. Fostering Wishes intentionally prioritizes this age group to help build confidence, develop life skills, and pursue opportunities that set them up for success in adulthood.
How to Get Involved with Fostering Wishes
Individuals, families, and businesses can support Fostering Wishes by participating in the Giving Tree during the holiday season or by learning more on their website:
https://www.fosteringwishes.org/
Fostering Wishes is far more than a nonprofit; it is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community rallies behind children who need it most. Robin and Sabine’s dedication to providing dignity, joy, and opportunity to foster youth is truly inspiring. We are grateful for their partnership and encourage everyone to support their mission in whatever way they can.
